Special Exhibitions

Special Exhibition Tours and Programs

Oakland Museum of California’s special exhibitions offer unique school experiences for a limited time each year. This year’s exhibitions include an exploration of Oakland’s multi-layered world of food in Take Root: Oakland Grows Food; a glimpse into the wonderful world of design with The World of Charles and Ray Eames; a whimsical journey combining art and science in Cruisin’ the Fossil Coastline; an inspiring presentation of California’s LGBTQ+ history and culture in Queer California: Untold Stories; and a fresh view of Andrew J. Russell’s photography documenting the building of the Transcontinental Railroad in Pushing West: Photography of A.J. Russell.

Note: Special exhibitions are accessible to school groups for free with purchase of a self-guided tour, program, and/or performance. See below for self-guided tour booking and special exhibition program information.

TAKE ROOT: OAKLAND GROWS FOODUnearth Oakland's multi-layered world of food in Take Root: Oakland Grows Food, an exhibition exploring aspects of growing food in Oakland. Learn what motivations Oaklanders have for growing food—including access to healthy and delicious ingredients, environmental and social justice values, or simply the joy of tending a garden. Share personal stories, explore interactive activities, and gain a deeper understanding of Oakland's agriculture.Dates: December 16, 2017–November 2019

TAKE ROOT POSTER-MAKING PROGRAMGrades 3–8How and why do we grow food at home, in our neighborhoods, or urban farms? Dig into stories right here in Oakland in Take Root: Oakland Grows Food. Explore dynamic ecological relationships that make growing possible as well as the social issues impacting equal access to healthy, fresh foods for all of our communities. Program includes:

A 45-minute tour of the special exhibition Take Root: Oakland Grows Food incorporating connections to the Gallery of California Natural Sciences.

A 75-minute poster-making workshop, in which students use screen-printing techniques to creatively express themselves on food-related issues.

THE WORLD OF CHARLES AND RAY EAMESFueled by their belief in design as a way of life, the innovative husband and wife duo Charles and Ray Eames were two of the most influential designers of the twentieth century. Go beyond their most well-known designs in this intimate and inspiring exhibition portraying their legacy and lives in California. Explore the breadth of their work across many fields in this interactive exhibition that brings their ideas and playful spirit to life.Dates: October 13, 2018–February 17, 2019

For information about scheduling private group tours of The World of Charles and Ray Eames, click here.

CRUISIN' THE FOSSIL COASTLINEDrop back in time to see the natural environment of California in a new way. Discover the connections between art and science through fantastically colorful renderings by artist Ray Troll and the reasearch of paleontologist Kirk Johnson, who made an incredible journey to map the ancient world with a fresh perspective. With the addition of sculpture, maps, a giant sloth—or Paramylodon harlani—and other fossils and bones from the collections of OMCA and the California Academy of Sciences, and a fun hands-on activity, this exhibition will thrill fossil fans and curious culture-seekers alike.Dates: November 10, 2018–March 17, 2019

QUEER CALIFORNIA: UNTOLD STORIESExplroe California as a major site or LGBTQ+ community, culture, and politics. Hear stories of the persistence of hope and change in the face of ongoing violence and hate in these communities. Celebraate the diversity of queer identities and join the conversation surrounding a much larger intersectional battle for change.Dates: April 13, 2019–August 11, 2019

PUSHING WEST: PHOTOGRAPHY OF A.J. RUSSELLGet a panoramic view of the building of the Union Pacific Railroad through the captivating photography of Andrew J. Russell. Discover the tensions between this technological transformation and its heavy impact on Native peoples and the environment of the American West.Dates: May 4, 2019–September 1, 2019.

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is one of the top-rated Bay Area museums to explore California art, history, and natural sciences. Recognized as one of the best things to do with kids in Oakland or the entire San Francisco Bay Area with kids, we're really for everyone from serious museum buffs to international visitors. Our collections rank us as one of the top science, history, and art museums in the East Bay, as well as the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We're at 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, California, convenient to BART.